Fox Personality Cowherd Taps Lions for 2026 NFC North Title

Fox Sports radio host Colin Cowherd has made his choice for the winner of the NFC North, projecting the Detroit Lions to claim the division title in the upcoming 2026 season. During a segment on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” the media personality argued that the team is positioned to improve upon its 9-8 record from the previous campaign.

Cowherd pointed to roster construction and favorable scheduling conditions as primary drivers for his prediction. He cited changes in the coaching staff, specifically the upgrade at offensive coordinator, and the resolution of the team’s offensive line configuration as key factors. Notably, he highlighted the move of Penei Sewell and the addition of Clemson draft pick Blake Miller as stabilizing elements for the line.

The analysis focused heavily on the Lions’ offensive firepower. Cowherd characterized the group of quarterback Jared Goff, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, and tight end Sam LaPorta as the best collection of skill position players in the league. He noted that despite a “struggle” last season, the team still managed to maintain a top-five scoring offense, a consistency he believes will continue.

Within the division, Cowherd forecasted a specific order of finish. He placed the Chicago Bears in second place, followed by the Green Bay Packers in third and the Minnesota Vikings in fourth. Elsewhere in the NFC, his predicted division winners included the Philadelphia Eagles (NFC East), New Orleans Saints (NFC South), and the defending champion Seattle Seahawks (NFC West).

The Lions are scheduled to begin their regular season on September 13 at Ford Field, hosting the New Orleans Saints in a game that will be broadcast on Fox.

Cowherd’s show is part of the sports programming portfolio operated by Fox Corporation. Fox Corporation, listed on the market under the ticker FOXA, operates in the Communication Services sector with a focus on news and entertainment content. The company’s stock was recently trading at $68.42, giving it a market capitalization of approximately $29.57 billion.

What to watch

• Detroit Lions season opener versus the New Orleans Saints on September 13.
• Fox Corporation’s quarterly earnings reports for viewership metrics related to NFL programming.

Source: original release